Where can I get COVID vaccines, boosters or flu shots? Here's a list of sites in the Wausau area

Allison Garfield and Melissa Siegler, Wausau Daily Herald
·7 min read

WAUSAU – Wisconsin is almost a year into its COVID-19 vaccine distribution, with everyone 12 and older eligible for the shots, and the effort to give boosters to those who qualify is well underway.

About 58% of Wisconsin residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as of Oct. 27, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, with a total of 6.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered in the state.

As of Oct. 28, just over half of people in Marathon County — approximately 51% — had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Figuring out how and where to get the vaccine can be confusing, especially if you don't have or don't know how to use a computer. And while there was once a shortage of shots compared to people waiting for them, doses are now readily available in central Wisconsin, with dozens of places — from health care providers to pharmacies to walk-in clinics — offering the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

Here's a list of local sites where you can receive a COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot, as well as flu shots.

In addition to regular COVID-19 doses, health systems and pharmacies are now also distributing booster shots to those elligible and flu shots.
In addition to regular COVID-19 doses, health systems and pharmacies are now also distributing booster shots to those elligible and flu shots.

Who is eligible for COVID-19 vaccines, boosters?

People 12 and older are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, which consists of two shots given three weeks apart. On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration voted to recommend Pfizer's vaccine to kids ages 5 to 11.

People 18 and older are eligible for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Moderna's vaccine is administered in two doses four weeks apart, while the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is administered fully in one dose.

For all vaccine types, you're considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your final dose.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people who are immunocompromised receive a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines at least 28 days after completing their second dose. People who should consider this option are listed here based on the initial vaccines they received.

Booster shots for Pfizer and Moderna are available for people 65 or older, all long-term care residents, people 18 and older who have certain underlying medical conditions or who are at an increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of their job or school setting. People must be at least six months out from the second dose of their initial vaccination to receive a booster.

The Johnson & Johnson booster shot is available to people who are 18 or older and are at least two months out from their initial vaccination.

Vaccine appointments, lists and hotlines

Aspirus Wausau Hospital & Clinics: Those eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or a booster shot should go online to Aspirus' website to schedule an appointment. Aspirus only offers the Pfizer booster. You can also call their COVID-19 hotline at 715-843-1454.

You can call your local Aspirus hospital or clinic to schedule a flu shot.

Marshfield Clinic Health System: Those eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or a booster shot can visit Marshfield Clinic's website to schedule an appointment or call 877-998-0880 if you don't have internet access.

People can schedule an appointment for a flu vaccine on Marshfield Clinic's website or call their Marshfield Clinic facility.

Health Departments

Wausau is home to one of the Wisconsin State Health Department's community-based clinic, located at Northcentral Technical College on 995 W Campus Dr.

Registration must be done through the Department of Health Services registry system online and walk-in appointments are available. For more information, you can call the site at 844-684-1064.

The Marathon County Health Department: People can visit the health department's website to keep updated on upcoming vaccination clinics and if vaccine appointments are available. Call the health department before showing up for a vaccine shot. The health department also shares information about vaccination clinics on its Facebook page.

People can also contact the health department at 715-803-2880.

In the Merrill area, Lincoln County Health Department can assist those who need help finding vaccine appointments, though, at this time, the health department is not giving out COVID-19 vaccines.

If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, you can contact Jennifer Johnson, a registered nurse with Lincoln County Public Health at 715-539-1371 or jennifer.johnson@co.lincoln.wi.us.

Pharmacies and more

Most nationwide pharmacies — like Walgreens, CVS, Walmart and Pick 'n Save — are offering COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots. Check with your local pharmacies to see if they're offering flu shots as well.

Most Walgreens pharmacies in central Wisconsin are offering COVID-19 and flu vaccines to those eligible, including three locations in the Wausau area and one in Merrill. To make an appointment, visit the store's website or call the location you plan to visit. Those sites are:

  • 105 Central Bridge St., Wausau: 715-845-8279

  • 504 S 17th Ave., Wausau: 715-848-8730

  • 5305 Business Highway 51 S., Weston: 715-355-9640

  • 101 N. Center Ave., Merrill: 715-539-0218

To see whether a Walgreens pharmacy near you is offering appointments for any doses of the COVID-19 vaccine — including boosters — or the flu shot, visit www.walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19. People without computers can call 800-925-4733.

You can also schedule a COVID vaccine or booster appointment at CVS stores, including one location in Wausau at 105 Central Bridge St. and one in Schofield at 2707 Schofield Ave. People can visit the website to schedule either a COVID or flu shot appointment here. The Wausau store can be reached at 715-845-8279 and the Schofield location at 715-355-1359.

Some Pick 'n Save locations — including the location in Wausau on 205 Central Bridge St. and in Rothschild at 10101 Market St. — are offering all three COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots. Schedule an appointment here: hwww.kroger.com/rx/guest/get-vaccinated.

In partnership with some local governments throughout Wisconsin, Walmart and Sam’s Club are helping administer COVID-19 vaccines, as well as flu shots. The Walmart on 505 S. Pine Ridge Ave. in Merrill and the Sam's Club at 226200 Rib Mountain Drive in Wausau are currently administering the vaccine to eligible groups.

All Walmart and Sam’s Club vaccination appointments can only be made through an online scheduler. For Walmart’s scheduler, visit Walmart.com/covidvaccine; for Sam’s Club’s scheduler, visit SamsClub.com/covid.

Young's Drug Store in Wausau and Merrill is distributing COVID-19 vaccines and boosters to people who are eligible. They also are offering flu shots to anyone 6 and up. Each of the three sites offering the vaccine, two locations in Wausau and one in Merrill, take appointments by phone only and are being scheduled around three weeks out.

  • Store on 310 E. Bridge St., Wausau: 715-845-5203

  • Store on 2106 Grand Ave., Wausau: 715-845-3713

  • Store on 301 E. Second St., Merrill: 715-536-2909

County Market Pharmacy, 220 S 18th Ave. in Wausau, is also administering COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccines are available to only those eligible and by appointment only. Call 715-842-3541 or visit here to make an appointment.

Trig's Pharmacy in Wausau, on 1600 Academy Ave., is offering same day appointments for COVID vaccines, depending on supply. You can contact the pharmacy closest to you directly to schedule an appointment. The Wausau location's number is 715-848-9066.

For all veterans, along with their spouses and caregivers, the VA is taking appointments for the COVID-19 vaccination. Call 800-872-8662, ext. 66274, to schedule an appointment.

More vaccine information

Sign up for weekly vaccine and COVID-19 updates from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services at dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/newsletter.htm.

The state's health department also has a vaccine site, which shows Wisconsin residents where they can get COVID-19 and flu vaccinations locally, lets you choose which shot you want and shows you where it's available. You can visit the site here: https://www.vaccines.gov/.

You can sign up for regular COVID-19 updates in your county, including updates about vaccination opportunities, by visiting: https://www.vaccines.gov/.

You can sign up for regular COVID-19 updates in your county, including updates about vaccination opportunities, by visiting:

Did we miss a location offering the vaccine? Let us know. Contact Allison Garfield at 715-351-9799 or agarfield@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @aligarfield_.

This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: Wausau: Where can I get COVID vaccines, boosters, flu shots?